Can Doyen Quest reach even greater heights on a new journey?

Trainer Paul Gilligan won this last year with Buddy One and is his representative this time Sea bandwho arrives after a narrow career defeat in Galway.

Zeeband lost to an unknown rival from Closutton that day and although he is now 7lb higher, the pair were six lengths ahead of the rest. His two most recent victories have come on good ground and he has gone relatively unnoticed on these types of trips.

Gowelweg leads the weights after hitting the bar over this course and distance at the Showcase meeting and that form has already been boosted with the fifth, Beacon Edge, winning since.

His prominent racing style suits the old course, where his form has been solid (won at this meeting in 2021, finished seventh in the 2022 Coral Cup and was second last month) and there is a chance he will fill in for his recent yield.

Almost every runner Gavin Cromwell sends to Cheltenham deserves respect, given his 24 per cent success rate (14-58) at the venue over the past five seasons and backing all these runners with a £1 stake would make a profit of £ 28.23. .

The County Meath trainer saddles Noble birthwho finished fourth last year ahead of Eric McNamara and that’s a run that might be worth upgrading as he was uncharacteristically enthusiastic and lost a shoe.

Bookmakers haven’t taken any chances with the unexposed Doyen Quest for the Skeltons. He was very progressive last season, winning four times, culminating in a New Course success in April. He finished a career-high second last month with a valuable Chepstow handicap.

He gives the impression that this new journey could show him in an even better light and his pedigree suggests as much.
Analysis by Phil Anderson

Search for unknown territory

Trainer’s champion Dan Skelton has chances over all three days of the November meeting, not least with Doyen Quest, who is well backed to make a successful move to five kilometers in this £30,000 race.

The six-year-old, who was a four-time winner in the novice and handicap group last season, made a highly encouraging comeback to chase home Josh The Boss in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month, form that has since been boosted by the exploits of the third , Take No Chances, who won a listed fence at Wetherby by ten lengths.

Skelton said: “We have had this in mind for him since Chepstow and we think the step up to five kilometers will suit him well. The form of his comeback in the Silver Trophy has since become clear and I think he will do very well in this.”

What they say

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to Gowel Road trainer Nigel
He ran very well and came second on his comeback and this race suited him well, although he preferred a softer surface. He’s a consistent guy and has won on the track before, so hopefully he can be competitive.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Emailandy
He will definitely need the flight. He is a big, strong horse that will be sharper when running and then hunting.

Christian Williams, coach of Deep cave
He is a new horse for us, he has not been with us that long, but we like him.

Jonjo O’Neill, co-coach of It’s anger
He’s back over the hurdles after his last win at Wetherby, but it’s good prize money and he’ll like the terrain. He will like the journey and go there with a good shout.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Strong boy
He’s a strong bastard, just like his name, and the ground should be to his liking as he continues to run on it consistently. I’m sure he’ll run his usual race, and he’ll have a shout from both sides.

Martin Keighley, trainer of Pinnacle Peak
He hasn’t run since November last year, but is doing well when fresh. He loves Cheltenham. Last year he won at the meet in October and went on to finish fourth at this meeting.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read Saturday’s previews:

‘This was always the goal’ – L’Eau Du Sud looks to back emphatic pursuit of debut success in Arkle Trial

‘The plan has always been to target this race’ – top trainers speak during a compelling Paddy Power Gold Cup

Is Hamsiyann a handicap spot or will he be blown away now that he’s over hurdles again?

Can anyone stop Grade 3 Bleu De Vassy from auction following the demolition of a fairytale house?

‘He’s in good order’ – Bob Olinger back to try to repeat his win from last year under new pilot Darragh O’Keeffe

Can Champion Chase hero Captain Guinness make another winning return to the Fortria?

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